Post-doctoral position in cross-cultural Sensory & Consumer Science

The Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a 21-month Post doc position within cross-cultural Sensory & Consumer science.

We are looking for a successful candidate with a strong research profile within Sensory & Consumer science who would like to work with a highly engaged and motivated staff in a dynamic working environment. The position is available from 1 October 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Job description

The Post doc will be connected to two ongoing research projects; 1) focusing on acceptance of sustainable protein-rich foods in Denmark, China and Kenya. 2) focusing on sensory profiling and acceptance of sustainable poultry products in Denmark.

The Post-doctoral position is part of the Science Team ‘Food Quality Perception and Society’ at the Department of Food Science. The candidate is expected to take part in teaching and supervision at BSc and MSc level, as well as attracting funding for further research in the area.

Your profile 

We seek a candidate with knowledge of the application and analysis of Sensory & Consumer Science including quantitative and qualitative consumer research methodologies, and experience in designing consumer studies in and out-side Denmark. Solid experience in statistical analysis are an advantage. Experience in building international research networks is considered important due to the projects’ international focus. Considering the wider field of research, a background in food science and in-depth knowledge about cross-cultural differences in food preferences would be central, as well as good teamwork and networking skills.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a PhD degree in a relevant field related to food, or consumer science,  from a University or an academic institution, or must submit his/her PhD thesis before the date of employment. In the case, the PhD thesis is not submitted when applying for the Post doc  position, a letter must be attached stating the official thesis submission date as well as satisfactory progression in PhD work .
• As the project will involve Danish, Chinese and Kenyan collaborations, experience with these countries/cultures will be an advantage as well as the ability to write and communicate fluently in Danish or English
• Experience with self-directed coordination of research
• Field research experience, including planning, developing and execution of survey studies as documented by a Dissertation, participation in research projects, or scientific publications
• Experience in statistical analysis of data including univariate, multivariate statistics
• Science communication skills proven publication record in international peer-reviewed journals

The Department of Food Science

The Department of Food Science is part of the Faculty of Technology, Aarhus University and includes research across the food value chain within the areas of Plant Production Systems, Biofunctional Food, Systems Biology, Food Chemistry and Technology, Food Quality, and Sensory and Consumer Science. The Department currently employs approx. 60 full time scientific staff and 50 PhD students and Postdocs, with approx. 30 visiting staff and students contributing to an international research environment where English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars.

Read more about the Department of Food Science at: https://food.au.dk/   

What we offer 

We offer a challenging and independent job opportunity in an ambitious and inspiring research and education environment with an informal atmosphere. We are looking for a dynamic employee who is able to work independently and maintain an overview during periods of high workload. We expect that you are efficient at planning your time and organizing major tasks. You enjoy interaction with both scientific staff, students and technical-administrative staff and you have a flair for establishing collaborative relationships.

Place of work 

The place of work is Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, Skejby, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

Contact information 

For further information, contact Line Manager Barbara Vad Andersen, phone +45 30707860, E-mail: [email protected] or Science Team Leader Derek Byrne, phone: +45 28782840, E-mail: [email protected]. 

Deadline 

All applications must be received no later than 11 August 2024. 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the

Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here .

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here .

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.